CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 23:1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" declares the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/23-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/24_Jer_23_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 23:1 - David's Righteous Branch" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! declares the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/23-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/23-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/22-30.htm" title="Jeremiah 22:30">◄</a> Jeremiah 23:1 <a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm" title="Jeremiah 23:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who are causing the sheep of My pasture to perish and are scattering <i>them!</i>” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds (civil leaders, rulers) who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! ” This is the LORD’s declaration.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!&#8221 This is the LORD&#8217s declaration. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You leaders of my people are like shepherds that kill and scatter the sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"How horrible it will be for the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep in my care," declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How terrible will be the LORD's judgment on those rulers who destroy and scatter his people! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"How terrible for the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!? declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD says, "The leaders of my people are sure to be judged. They were supposed to watch over my people like shepherds watch over their sheep. But they are causing my people to be destroyed and scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture." says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Woe to shepherds destroying, "" And scattering the flock of My pasture,” "" A declaration of YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Woe to shepherds destroying, And scattering the flock of My pasture, An affirmation of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wo to the shepherds destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture! says Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Woe to the pastors, that destroy and tear the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who scatter and tear apart the sheep of my pasture, says the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock of my pasture—oracle of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WOE to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Oh, Shepherds, who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, says LORD JEHOVAH!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter The sheep of My pasture! saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Woe to the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of their pasture!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=6589" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">David's Righteous Branch</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1945.htm" title="1945: hō·w (Interjection) -- Ah! alas! ha! A prolonged form of how; oh!">“Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">to the shepherds</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: mə·’ab·bə·ḏîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">who destroy</a> <a href="/hebrew/6327.htm" title="6327: ū·mə·p̄i·ṣîm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be dispersed or scattered. A primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively.">and scatter</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: ṣōn (N-csc) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">the sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/4830.htm" title="4830: mar·‘î·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A pasturing, shepherding, pasturage. From ra'ah in the sense of feeding; pasturage; concretely, a flock.">of My pasture!”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-10</a></span><br />“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-4.htm">Zechariah 11:4-17</a></span><br />This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter, / whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them. / For I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land, declares the LORD, but behold, I will cause each man to fall into the hands of his neighbor and his king, who will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from their hands.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13-39</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-13</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9-12</a></span><br />Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. / Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-1.htm">Micah 3:1-4</a></span><br />Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? / You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. / You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a></span><br />When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-34.htm">Mark 6:34</a></span><br />When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a></span><br />As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28-30</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">1 Peter 5:2-4</a></span><br />Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a></span><br />He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2-3</a></span><br />For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd. / “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Jeremiah 50:6</a></span><br />My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! said the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">Woe.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-8.htm">Jeremiah 2:8,26</a></b></br> The priests said not, Where <i>is</i> the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after <i>things that</i> do not profit… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/13-3.htm">Ezekiel 13:3</a></b></br> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2</a></b></br> Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe <i>be</i> to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?</p><p class="hdg">pastors.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm">Jeremiah 23:2,11-15</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-8.htm">Jeremiah 2:8</a></b></br> The priests said not, Where <i>is</i> the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after <i>things that</i> do not profit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21</a></b></br> For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/22-24.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-24.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-10.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-17.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-20.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-14.htm">Field</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-20.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-22.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-10.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-22.htm">Pastors</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-17.htm">Scatter</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Scattering</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-22.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-22.htm">Shepherds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-19.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-13.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-10.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-4.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-9.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-36.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-34.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/jeremiah/26-18.htm">Field</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-4.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-63.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm">Pastors</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-3.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/jeremiah/24-9.htm">Scatter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-15.htm">Scattering</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-34.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm">Shepherds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-7.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-11.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Christ shall rule and save them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-9.htm">Against false prophets;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-33.htm">and mockers of the true prophets.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Woe to the shepherds</b><br>The term "shepherds" in biblical context often refers to leaders, particularly kings, priests, and prophets, who are responsible for guiding and caring for God's people. In ancient Israel, shepherds were tasked with the protection and guidance of their flock, a metaphor for the spiritual and political leaders of the nation. The use of "woe" is a pronouncement of judgment and impending doom, indicating God's displeasure with these leaders. This echoes the prophetic tradition where leaders are held accountable for their failure to lead righteously (<a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-10</a>).<p><b>who destroy and scatter</b><br>The leaders are accused of destroying and scattering the people, which implies both physical and spiritual harm. Historically, this can be linked to the period of the Babylonian exile, where poor leadership led to the downfall of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Israelites. Spiritually, it suggests leading people away from God's commandments and into idolatry or injustice. This scattering contrasts with the gathering and protection expected of a good shepherd (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-13</a>).<p><b>the sheep of My pasture!</b><br>The "sheep" symbolize the people of Israel, and "My pasture" indicates God's ownership and care for His people. This imagery is consistent throughout Scripture, where God is depicted as the ultimate shepherd (<a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23:1</a>). The pasture represents a place of provision and safety, which the leaders have failed to maintain. This failure is a direct affront to God's covenant relationship with Israel, where He promised to be their God and they His people (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-6</a>).<p><b>declares the LORD.</b><br>The phrase underscores the authority and certainty of the message. It is not merely Jeremiah's opinion but a divine pronouncement. The use of "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula that emphasizes the seriousness and authenticity of the message. It assures the audience that the words are from God Himself, reinforcing the accountability of the leaders and the certainty of the coming judgment. This declaration is consistent with the prophetic tradition where God directly communicates His will and judgment through His prophets (<a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by themes of judgment and restoration.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shepherds.htm">Shepherds</a></b><br>In this context, "shepherds" refers to the leaders of Israel, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding and caring for God's people but failed in their duties.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheep.htm">Sheep</a></b><br>Symbolically represents the people of Israel, God's chosen people, who were entrusted to the care of the shepherds.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the ultimate authority and judge over His people and their leaders.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent judgment due to the unfaithfulness of its leaders and people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_of_leaders.htm">Accountability of Leaders</a></b><br>Leaders are accountable to God for the care and guidance of those entrusted to them. They must lead with integrity and faithfulness, recognizing their role as stewards of God's people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_negligence.htm">The Danger of Negligence</a></b><br>Negligent leadership leads to the scattering and destruction of the flock. Leaders must be vigilant and proactive in their responsibilities to prevent harm to those they lead.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>God is sovereign and will hold leaders accountable for their actions. His justice ensures that those who fail in their duties will face consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_good_shepherd.htm">The Role of the Good Shepherd</a></b><br>Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, provides the perfect example of leadership. He cares for, protects, and sacrifices for His sheep, setting a standard for all leaders to follow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_hope.htm">Restoration and Hope</a></b><br>Despite the failures of human leaders, God promises restoration and hope through His own intervention and leadership. Believers can trust in God's ultimate plan for their well-being.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_some_bad_leaders_go_unpunished.htm">Jeremiah 23:1–2: How can God condemn “shepherds” who mislead the flock while, historically, many oppressive leaders seem to go unpunished? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_34__judgment_inconsistencies.htm">Ezekiel 34 – Are there any inconsistencies with other prophetic books about how judgment is executed and who is held accountable? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_ezekiel_34_2's_leaders.htm">Ezekiel 34:2 – How can we verify historically or archaeologically that corrupt leaders were truly the “shepherds” described here? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_zech._10_3_conflict_with_righteous_leaders.htm">Zechariah 10:3: Does punishing the “shepherds” conflict with other passages that present divinely appointed leaders as righteous? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XXIII.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Woe be unto the pastors . . .</span>--The message that follows in <a href="/context/jeremiah/23-1.htm" title="Woe be to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! said the LORD.">Jeremiah 23:1-8</a> comes as a natural sequel to that of Jeremiah 22. The unfaithful shepherds who had been there denounced are contrasted with those, more faithful to their trust, whom Jehovah will raise up. As before, in <a href="/jeremiah/2-8.htm" title="The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.">Jeremiah 2:8</a> and elsewhere, we have to remember that the "pastors" are (like the "shepherds of the people" in Greek poets) the civil rulers, not the prophets or the priests, of Israel. The parallelism with the prophecy of Ezekiel 34, delivered about the same time in the land of exile, is suggestive either of direct communication between the two writers, or of traditional lines of thought common to the two priest-prophets.<p><span class= "bld">The sheep of my pasture.</span>--The words assert the claims of Jehovah to be the true Shepherd of His people. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/79-13.htm" title="So we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks for ever: we will show forth your praise to all generations.">Psalm 79:13</a>; <a href="/psalms/100-3.htm" title="Know you that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.">Psalm 100:3</a>.)<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Woe</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1945.htm">Strong's 1945: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ah! alas! ha!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the shepherds</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹעִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(rō·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who destroy</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאַבְּדִ֧ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ab·bə·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wander away, lose oneself, to perish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and scatter</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמְפִצִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·p̄i·ṣîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6327.htm">Strong's 6327: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dispersed or scattered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sheep</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹ֥אן</span> <span class="translit">(ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of My pasture!”</span><br /><span class="heb">מַרְעִיתִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mar·‘î·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4830.htm">Strong's 4830: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasturing, shepherding, pasturage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻם־</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/22-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 22:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 22:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>